Newly-formed independent workers’ committees in Syria organised demonstrations and vigils across the country in protest at caretaker government’s decision to sack thousands of public sector employees, and in response to the spiralling cost of living which is pushing millions of Syrians deeper into poverty. Rallies took place on 15 February in Damascus, Aleppo, Suwayda, Latakia…
Egyptian Trade unionist Shady Mohamed is on hunger strike, his wife has told other activists, protesting against terrible conditions in Burg al-Arab prison where he has been held since last year on charges related to displaying a Palestine solidarity banner. Shady was among 6 people arrested for this simple act of protest and solidarity and…
Laila Soueif, mother of British citizen Alaa Abdel Fattah, a writer, software developer and prominent pro-democracy activist jailed by Egypt’s authoritarian regime for most of the last ten years, will be organising regular protests outside Downing Street from 13 January. Alaa’s case has hit the news in recent months as his family have stepped up…
By Abdulsalam Dallal On 8 December 2024 in the early morning, people in the streets and a mosque in Damascus announced: “saqat bashar al-kalb” (Bashar, the dog has fallen). Since March 2011 Syrians have spilled blood and tears on the path towards hurriyyeh and karameh (freedom and dignity). Thirteen years later, their sacrifices have paid…
Azadeh Neman is a teacher, NEU member and Iranian activist. She spoke to Middle East Solidarity on the second anniversary of the murder of Mahsa Jina Amini by the Iranian state and the eruption of mass protests under the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’. MES: Two years after the murder of Mahsa Jina Amini can we…
Statement Issued by the Contractual Teachers’ League in Lebanese Primary Public Schools (CTLP) Beirut, October 2, 2024 Subject: Appeal to Stop the War, Protect the People, and Ensure the Right of Students to Education and Teachers to Receive Their Dues to Help Them Live Amidst War and Displacement The association calls on the international community…
Activists in Egypt have issued an urgent appeal in solidarity with Hisham al-Banna, a worker from the Samanoud textile factory who is facing dismissal from work following a month-long strike demanding the minimum wage. The workers in the factory have been fighting to win better pay after years of battles with the company bosses over…
Photos: TAM via Facebook As TUC Congress meets to debate motions on workers’ transition in the North sea (motion 14) (Unite), motion 17 on the Climate Emergency (UNISON), motion 18 on Climate Change (PCS) with a GMB proposed amendment, motion 19 on Climate Change & workers’ health (BFAWU), motion 15 on Industrial Strategy (GMB), motion…
Prominent cartoonists in Britain have rallied behind Ashraf Omar, the Egyptian cartoonist seized by police from his home in a dawn raid on 22 July. Steve Bell, Martin Rowson, Andy Davey, Dave Brown and Tim Sanders launched a call for Omar’s release in an open letter published by MENA Solidarity on 4 August. Our colleague…
MENA Solidarity held a session on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in the International Tent at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2024. The session focused on how trade unionists can collaborate with activists in the Global South to create effective solidarity through media platforms and communication strategies, challenging mainstream media narratives. The discussion featured a case study on campaigns supporting the Sudanese struggle for democracy and social justice.
MENA Solidarity Network 